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I think Kings Island has five standout coasters: Orion, Banshee, Diamondback, Mystic Timbers, and The Beast. If you were to put any one of these coasters at ValleyFair, Michigans’ Adventure or probably over 90% of the amusement parks on the planet, it would be their best coaster and would surely standout. Leviathan is a standout coaster for Canada’s Wonderland and most that feel Orion is slightly superior to Leviathan. But Orion doesn’t stand out at Kings Island the way Leviathan does at Canada’s Wonderland due to the fact that Canada’s Wonderland doesn’t have near the supporting cast that Kings Island does. In fact, Leviathan is the standout attraction in all of Canada and Orion is still a tad better. The fact that Kings Island has five coasters that are very close to each other in terms of quality doesn’t allow for any single coaster to standout on it own. I actually like that Orion doesn’t completely overshadow all other rides like some rides do at their respective parks. The other coasters get to keep their appeal. There’s now just more variety. Orion was a very good fit for the park I would even venture to say that the majority of park goers would rather have an Orion over a Veloicoaster, SteVe, Maverick, X2 or The Voyage. The size, the speed, the looks, the drop. It’s just more attractive to more people. Nothing you put at Kings Island is going to standout with the lineup they have anyway, not SteVe, not Veloicicoaster, not The Voyage. It’s just people’s preference for what they prefer. Not everyone prefers the most intense ride. Intensity does not maketh the most superior experience.

Please tell me I'm not the only person who actually lol'd at that. I'm happy to see the events are still happening, I'm also pretty interested to see if they will nix any haunts and add new ones if they were already planned.

Word on the grapevine is that Worlds of Fun's #33 "Eli" is back on the property from an overhaul at Strasburg. That makes us wonder about Kings Dominion's #552 that was being restored at an undisclosed location as "Levi" to take "Eli's" place. Stay tuned.

So preliminary things to note with a Hickory cabin so people can plan ahead. Shower is 6'6" floor to ceiling, I didn't notice until I realized how easy I can reach the shower head. If you're tall chances are you'll be sitting on the bench to get water on you. 432 does NOT currently have blinds at the bunk beds. Some cabins around us do though. Having only 3 of us, daughter chose the loft. None of the lofts have blinds. We took the fitted sheets from the bunk beds and was able to drape them over the windows for privacy. A fitted crib sheet would cover them well if you have a large group. Bedroom, the side away from the door you've got about 20" between the bed and wall. The upper window above also has no cover, lofts in the cabin next to you can see in. I'll say the privacy thing is a bit annoying personally. If you plan to use the sofa bed there is very little room to walk between it and the kitchen island, maybe a foot. So put whoever is going to wake up first there lol. Kitchen has pots and skillets, but no pans for the oven. Considering they sell biscuits in the shop, a bit surprising. The is is not flat, and depending on your cabin you may have a steep slope vs flat land to play on. The booking page says there is an electric fireplace, there isn't. Maybe they plan to put them in during colder months? Shuttle to the park is decent and A/C who doesn't enjoy that. They run until 10:30pm. The driver said there are two of them running consistently. If one pulls off, the other with be by in less than 10 minutes. Ironwood Grill breakfast this morning started at 8am and ran until 10am. Decent prices and serving sizes. Hashbrown casserole is a favorite, servers are friendly and food maybe took 10 minutes. The pool is deceptively larger than I expected from pictures I'd seen. Decent amount of chairs, pool towels are provided as well. When I get home tomorrow or Monday I'll get pictures uploaded and notes about other sites around us. We are beside the interstate, if you're a light sleeper, you'll want background noise.

I totally agree with this. I also agree to intense is not always better. Look at I305. It should be the king at KD. It is not with the GP.

I hope the new pay rate is a permanent change. I left the medical field this year-I can make just as much anywhere else with much less headache.

Don, thanks for clearing that up. I know this is unrelated but let me tell you guys, the Grand Carnival is one great event. Colorful, energetic, Almost as good as Winterfest, which is magical.

All are coasters except for two. The first one is the Eiffel Tower for I figured it means people are new and in the tower getting a feel for the place. The second is Surf Dog. (You have not learned of it is or isn't a coaster as of yet.) The rest are every coaster at the park.

All you actors, singers, and dancers: Notice how Haunt availability is through Oct 31, a Sunday? Hmmm…

I am told it is more like Jiggly Jell-O moves.

King ding dong doesn't want to show off his tootsie roll moves?

I think it is a good idea to expand the fall operating calendar. I am not sure we will also see Thursdays added like at Cedar Point, but I would not be opposed. I am also really glad that The Tricks and Treats event seems like it is here to stay. I like it better than Great Pumpkin Fest because it is not just limited to one area of the park, and it seems like there is more to do (and not just for kids). I also hope we see a lot of entertainment offerings for Tricks and Treats, Halloween Haunt, and Winterfest. Maybe, just maybe, the Kings Island Theater and Festhaus will house shows once again. It would be cool if we see a Winterfest parade like the one Carowinds debuted in 2019.

Sadly no one wants to hear me sing.

I totally agree with this. I feel like most people prefer the front on Orion which is understandable, but the back row is my personal favorite. The drop is insane in the back row, and that final dive before the brake run is also really good in the back. I understand that you feel a greater sense of speed in the front, but I just can’t get enough of the back.

During ERT this morning I got a front row ride, then a back seat ride right after that. I really prefer the back of the train.

My first ride with Orion I wasn't overly impressed. Now that I have a few more rides on it the ride is very impressive. I would rank it within my top 5 coasters I have been on. Do I wish it had a little more track length. Of course. Do I think it was a missed opportunity for Cedar Fair. Absolutely, still a great ride even though it was t what we were Expecting.

I worked overnight in the park this year-have to say I have never seen anything suspicious

Sad state of affairs when people have to be given a card to remind them how to behave in public

Not to get far off topic but cashless clubs could just be a card swiper like at the games lol

Another reason to have the chaperone policy.

“VISA…it’s everywhere you want to be!”

Anywhere outside the park that takes VISA.

Speaking of contactless payments, I've really enjoyed using the Wendy's app on my phone as I can conveniently order on-the-go. I think another plus to this (for companies, at least) is that I feel like people tend to spend more money (impulse buy) when paying thru apps as they don't "see" the money - they just know they want the thing now.

Will they have to change this display at Flight of Fear now?

Before last year, I would have made the joke that that's a season passholder in Area 72 when their Hank's burrito hits. But now there are restrooms in Area 72, so thanks a lot for ruining my joke, Kings Island, ya JERKS.

Would that make someone a season assholder?

Add your vote here:

In the kid’s defense, it was probably not communicated with them. When I ordered the flatbread they said it was a pulled pork but it was a Greek salad. I know it wasn’t the best experience, but they do work hard.

Good questions, maybe @DonHelbig can answer for us. Welcome back, we have missed seeing you.

Will the cards work on the locker rental as well? I've had random issues using my debit or CCs. It's never the same card that won't take. Also can they be used in place of game cards or are we stuck with another thing for 12yo to keep track of?

A boat-load of studies over decades have proven people spend more with a card, and less when handing over physical cash. Huge win for the park. This is not being done for our convenience...

He can't, they close the doors when @King Ding Dong scans his pass at the turnstiles.

Are 2 freestyle stands enough for the whole park? Of course not, but they think so.